Selina leaned back in her chair. She folded one gloved hand over the other, crossing her legs while keeping her elbows on the arm-rests. She took in a single, calming breath as she beheld her uninvited guests.

To her right sat a woman that was the spitting image of the Goddess Of War, Ares. The Goddess hadn't changed much since the two of them "met" in the forest. With the main difference being that this was her in the flesh. Her muscles were toned to a fine point, adding to her appearance as the Goddess of all Warriors. Fiery red locks of hair fell down to her chest, looped into four long braids around her head and back. Her facial features were a strange combination of rough yet smooth. Three scars ran across her cheeks and down her neck, though they only served to add a sharpness to her godly visage. Black and red tattoos ran across her body, seeming to act as both intricate patterns depicting different battles and wars of the past...and clothing. The only actual article of clothing Ares had was a single golden skirt that only covered her upper thighs.

Ares caught the Huntress watching her and raised an eyebrow, "What? Got something to say? We already explained that we're here to talk."

"Yes, you did. But I'm unsure if that's enough of a reason to suddenly appear in my home without being invited," the Huntress replied, frown clearly evident on her face. She had woken up in the middle of the night after hearing a sound from downstairs. She left the bed without waking her children, let Eve and Matilda know that she was going to check it out, made sure she had her Burial Blade on her, then went downstairs. She didn't spot anyone until she entered the living room. At which point, the Goddesses appeared in bright flashes of light. She was ready to attack but Ares was quick to explain their reason for being there.

Which was that they wished to "negotiate" with her.

Exactly what they planned to negotiate has yet to be revealed.

"Considering everything that's happened, would you really have let us in if we knocked on your door?"

"Perhaps not. But something to let me know that you wished to parley would've gone a long way. Such as a note attached to my door. Unless such things are considered 'unbecoming of Divinities'."

Ares' lips curled into a frown. She prepared to respond, but went silent when the Goddess sitting next to her placed a hand on her thigh.

"Now, now, Ares," she said, her pearl white skin contrasting Ares' dark bronze. She had platinum blonde hair that was allowed to flow freely down her entire body. It was so long and voluminous that she used it as a cushion to sit on. Where Ares' body was toned and made for battle, hers' was plump and made to bear children. Large hips and a chest bigger than her head helped sell the image of a Fertility Goddess. Pink iris on a friendly, loving face would disarm any who didn't know what she was.

In many ways, she was Ares' exact opposite.

Save that she was completely nude.

Not a single article of clothing was present on her body.

Selina made a mental note to wash the cushions on that couch later.

"Calm down. We're not here to get confrontational," her voice was soothing in an otherworldly sense. As if the words were being spoken by a sweet elder sister or an entire communities' mother figure.

Ares bit her tongue then leaned back in her seat, "Right. Thanks, Eros."

"No problem," Eros, the Goddess of Love said before taking her hand off Ares. She turned towards the Huntress and frowned, "However, she is partially correct. If we approached you in any other way, you were more likely to tell us off instead of listen to us. Granted, the fault of that rests on our shoulders. We are the ones who sent our own people after you. For that, we apologize."

She bowed her head to the Huntress. Selina nodded in acceptance, though she didn't say as much. While she understood the Goddess was attempting to patch things up, she was not yet ready to forgive them for sending people to kill her. Then she turned towards her right side where the other two Goddesses were.

The one closest to her seat had to be Poseidon, Goddess Of The Sea. There are few other Divinities she could think of with fish-like fins on the side of their head or gills on their neck. Her skin was more like that of a sea creature with small scales that shined despite the darkness of the living room. Twin ocean blue eyes stared out of a stony face that was covered in scales that were all the colors of a rainbow. Her hair was the color of the sky in a rainstorm and hanged down in twin bangs on both sides of her face. Her hands mirrored the placement of the Huntress', attention firmly on Selina. Yet she did not speak. Merely stared with an expression that Selina couldn't place.

Selina tilts her head to the side, "Would I be correct in assuming that you share Ares' reason for being here?"

"Yes, indeed," Poseidon's tone of voice sounded like an oncoming storm. Smooth and gentle, but carrying the promise of her flying into a rage at any minute, "why do you ask?"

"Because, based on the words of a comrade of mine, you and your companion are both firmly on the Demon Lord's side of this conflict. And, considering my actions, I doubt either of you would be willing to come here to 'negotiate' with me," Selina waved a hand towards the last Goddess in the room sitting by Poseidon.

All eyes turned towards the only adherent who hadn't spoken yet. She, surprisingly, was dressed the most conservatively of the four Deities in the room. She wore a thin black robe that covered up most of her body, with only her bountiful cleavage and soft inner thighs being revealed to the world. Her hair was cut short in a straight bob cut while two black wings wrapped around her waist. She kept one eye closed but the one she kept open was ruby red in color. It seemed to shine in the dark, locking onto the Huntress as soon as the attention was on her. Her pointed ears twitched slightly, her purple skinned shoulders lifting up in a shrug. Her voice had a deep reverb to it, as if her vocal cords were shaking with each word she spoke, "I can't speak for Poseidon, but I came here because I want to see Ares' idea through to the end. And because I believe that you may change your tune if you find out how things really work around her."

The Huntress frowned. She made ready to respond to the Goddess but Poseidon beat her to it. The Goddess of the Seas glared at her companion, "Fallen God. What did we say before we came here?"

The two Goddess' stared each other down. Then the Fallen God turned away, "Tch. Fine. I apologize. That was a poor choice of words."

"That is an understatement. You could've ruined everything with that!" Ares was quick to berate the Fallen. Then she turned back to the Huntress, "What she meant to say was, that we wanted to make sure you knew whole history behind all of this. The war, the world, everything."

"Oh?" Selina leaned closer as her curiosity grew, "Whatever do you mean?"

"How much do you know about the history of this world...um...I'm sorry I don't believe any of us have every gotten a name for you," Eros begins, grimacing as she admits their mistake.

"The Hunter or Huntress will do."

"What? Too good to give us a name?"

"I only give my name to those I trust. And all of you are yet to earn it. But, to answer your question, not much. I only know what has been told to me by human comrades and some Mamono."

"Told you so," Poseidon states, a smug grin coming over her face.

Ares rolls her eyes before turning to the Huntress, "In that case, let us fill in the blanks for you."

Thus did the Goddesses inform the Huntress of the history of the world.

How it was created by the Original Chief God. The System he created. How it was originally meant to keep the human population in check by murdering a set amount of them every few years.

How the current Demon Lord came to power. What her Great Spell did to the World and its Monsters. How much their original purpose had changed.

How the current Chief God was effectively an "Intern". How she tried to stop the new Demon Lord by creating a powerful Hero. How that Hero ended up becoming the Demon Lord's Husband. How the two of them together wounded the Chief God badly enough that she's still recovering from it.

The history of the world was told in broad strokes but detailed enough to describe what led to the current situation of the world was told to the Huntress. The Goddesses took turns telling different parts of the story. Ares, Eros, and Poseidon focused on describing the events of the world itself, while the Fallen God added in what she knew of the Demon Lord's own actions.

All of it Selina drunk in with gusto. As she listened, her neutral expression changed in subtle ways. Frowning at horrid events that could've been avoided. Raising a curious eyebrow when learning of the "System" that governed the world. An understanding gleam when she discovered the Demon Lord's reasoning behind her actions.

Everything she listened to, she committed to memory.

"...and now we're here," with those words Eros finished their tale. Outside, the moon had dipped lower in the sky. The Huntress was silently thankful that neither she nor her guests had need of food or water. Otherwise, she had no doubt the history lesson would've taken much longer than it did.

Selina took in a deep breath. Then she let it out in a long, long, long sigh while falling back into her chair. She looked up at the ceiling as she contemplated everything she had heard. For the first time since she had arrived in this world, she was at a loss for words. Eventually, she settled for a simple reaction, "That...is certainly a lot to take in."

"It would be for anyone," Eros nodded in understanding, "but do you at least understand the reason things are the way they are a bit better?"

Selina let out another sigh, "I will admit, hearing about the original purpose of this world's creation...doesn't sit right with me. I believe this 'Original Chief God' you speak of made many, many, many mistakes in his decision to make the world like this. And his replacement has made things much worse."

"Good," the Fallen God let out a sigh of relief, "Then maybe we can-"

"However," Selina looked back at the Goddesses, eyes filled with no hesitation nor uncertainty, "I believe that the Demon Lord's solution is no better."

"What?" Poseidon and the Fallen God spoke in unison. Both sounded completely shocked by the Huntress' words.

"But...but...you heard what we said right? About how the original system had us kill so many humans?" Ares asked, surprised but not shocked by the Huntress' words.

"Yes. And that is a horrible thing to base a System on. But that does not excuse the Demon Lord's actions. That does not excuse turning humans into Mamono against their will. That does not excuse continuing a war that, while bloodless, still causes countless tragedies and horrors of its own. That does not excuse conquering and taking control of kingdoms and villages who want no part in this war," Selina explained, not at all intimidated by the Goddesses around her.

"How could you say that?" the Fallen God asked, her expression incredulous, "After hearing all the horrible things the current and former Chief God did. After hearing about how Lilith just wants to help everyone. How can you say she is in the wrong?"

Poseidon nodded in agreement with the Fallen God, "If Lilith doesn't succeed, then we'll go back to the original System. Humans and Monsters will fight each other again. They'll slay each other by the hundreds. Who could possibly want to return to that?"

Selina tilted her head at the two Goddesses, "Did I ever say that I thought the original System was better? No, I did not. But allow me to present something to you all. According to the Demon Lord, if she can manage to get Mamono to birth Incubi, then the war would end and she'd be able to defeat the Chief God, correct?"

All the Goddesses nodded.

"Alright. Then, tell me...how does birthing Incubi prevent humanity's eradication?"

"Oh, that's obvious," Eros daintily waved a hand through the air, "The Mamono won't have a reason to go after human men anymore. They'll stop corrupting them and just go after the Incubi. The Demon Lord's Will will make them do so."

"But aren't there Mamono that can defy the Demon Lord's Will? And aren't her children, the Lilim such as Druella, able to operate on their own? What reason would they have to stop going after human men? Why wait for their ideal husband to be born, when they can just grab a human and force him to become an Incubus?"

"Well...that's...uh," Eros found herself at a loss for words.

"I think you're underestimating how strong Lilith's control is," Ares spoke up to help her fellow Goddess, "If she wanted to, she could force even her children to obey her. If she manages to get Incubi naturally birthed, then all she has to do is force all the Mamono to abide by her Will. That's that."

Selina nodded, "I see. Alright. Then what about human men and women?"

"Huh?"

"You all have noticed it, surely? That, by and large, Mamono are far more attractive as partners than humans? They don't age, can make their lovers functionally immortal, confer power to their lovers, can use their magic in ways that humans can't, are so varied that there is guaranteed to be a Mamono to fit any man's preference, and can even transform their husbands into their ideal forms. In addition, a Mamono's love is completely unconditional. They will love their husbands until the end of time. All they ask for in return, is their husbands' love, affection, and children. Compare that to a human female and...well...what's stopping a human male from chasing after a Mamono? If the Demon Lord changes the Mamono to no longer wish to be humans, than that would go against her ideals. If she doesn't, then the problem the Incubi are meant to fix continues to persist."

The Goddesses were all silent. Ares and Eros had contemplative looks on their faces. Poseidon and the Fallen were avoiding the Huntress' gaze, their lips curling into frowns. When no response was forthcoming, Selina continued, "And that is merely looking at it from the eyes of a male. In the eyes of a human female? Why wouldn't she want to become a Mamono? If she were looking for the best way to attract her ideal mate, then becoming a Mamono is the fastest and most surefire way of doing so. And while many women may refuse to do so now, the number that don't refuse will increase in number as men start preferring Mamono in place of human women. How does the Demon Lord plan to account for this? How will this help stop humanity from being destroyed, thus ensuring that what happened under the previous System doesn't happen again?"

"Then there is the matter of the war...what's stopping the Order from continuing it?" Selina continued, her voice never losing its calm tone, "Even if the Demon Lord defeats the current Chief God and transforms her, there will still be Kingdoms and otherwise that side with the Order. There will be people who have lost family, friends, and more to the Mamono. They will not wish to simply lay down and allow the Mamono to do as they wish. Even if the Monsters wish for peace, there will be humans who wish for naught but war. And they will wage it. Should the Monsters not fight back, then they will lose but humanity will survive in a sense. Should they fight back, then they will win but humanity will be destroyed. And you have stated that the Demon Lord wishes to avoid that...supposedly."

"What are you trying to get at here?" Ares asked. Realization and resistance warred within her eyes, her hands gripping her upper arms tightly. Eros was patting her thighs in rapid succession, lips pursed and teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. The Fallen God kept her head down, but the shaking of her body was plain for all to see. Poseidon's gills opened and closed rapidly while her eyes began to spark with barely contained lightning.

Selina looked at each of the Divinities in turn. Only when she was certain they were all paying attention to her did she speak, "What I am saying is simple: The Demon Lord is doing exactly what every other Demon Lord before her did. Attempting to wipe out humanity. However, unlike her predecessors, she is succeeding."

There was no immediate response to the Huntress' words.

Merely the silence of Goddesses. Their faces went through a range of emotions as they took in Selina's rather damning conclusion. Frustration, surprise, anger, contemplation, concern. The emotions changed along with their thoughts as they each tried and failed to form a response to the Huntress' words. For a time.

Then, after what felt like an hour, the Fallen God finally spoke up. A smug grin came over her face as she turned to the Huntress with judging eyes, "Well, Hunter, you're certainly a paranoid one."

Selina tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

The Fallen God throw her hands in the air, "Oh, come on! Mamono defying Lilith's Will? Humans choosing Mamono over other humans? The Order still fighting after losing the Chief God? That's just pessimistic paranoia combined with full on ignorance. None of that stuff has ever happened, nor will it happen. The Mamono will back off when the Incubi are born, the Order will surrender with the defeat of the Chief God, and the world will be far better off."

The Huntress frowned at the Fallen God's dismissal of her concerns. She looked over to the Sea Goddess, eyes asking for her thoughts on the matter. Poseidon pursed her lips for a moment. Then she turned and spoke to the Huntress with stormy eyes, "I agree with the Fallen. Lilith offered my followers and I shelter when the Chief God persecuted us. My Mamono and I have been happier ever since. If this is the path she's bringing the world down, then it must be the better option."

Selina leaned back in her chair, "Alright. Then, I have a question for the both of you: Druella's attack on Lescatie. If the Extremist Faction doesn't represent all Mamono, and the majority wishes for them to stop their action, then why has nothing been done about them? Why has the Demon Lord not condemned her daughter's actions?"

"Because Lescatie was a horrible place. The Nobles of the Order oppressed everyone else, abused the Heroes, and created a place where the powerful preyed on the weak. Druella taking the place turned it into a paradise," the Fallen God was quick to reply.

"But why did she need to turn it into a Demon Realm? Why not simply get her agents to corrupt and remove those in power destroying the city, then help those who could better rule it get into power?"

Poseidon responded this time, "Because those in power were too well entrenched. Simply replacing them wouldn't help."

"But they weren't entrenched enough that any of them noticed Druella's attack coming before it was too late?"

"Well...there are cracks in any defense..."

"Yes...and Druella could not take advantage of these cracks to better the city without corrupting it...why?"

"Look, none of that matters!" the Fallen God quickly said, one hand going to the arm of the seat she sat in, "All that matters, is that Druella made Lescatie a far better place for everyone! She's helping Lilith make this world a better place, by turning horrid hives like that into wonderful Demon Realms!"

Sellina stared the Fallen God down. Neither of them flinched away from the other's gaze. Then she nodded, "As you say. Then, perhaps you could tell me why she had a Mamono Camp ready and willing to take Vinvers? It is a Neutral City. One where Mamono and humans live together in peace. It has none of the problems that you say Lescatie had. Yet, Druella was planning to take it over. Why?"

"Because the Order was in it," Poseidon said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "If they're in a city, then they're likely planning to do something horrible to it. And they needed to be stopped before they could accomplish their goal."

"While I will agree that the Order isn't exactly an Organization I would trust, why would them being a city immediately mean they were planning something nefarious?"

"Because that's what they do. As long as that awful Chief God is leading them, nothing they do will ever be for betterment of the people," Poseidon's eyes crackled with lightning. The Huntress started to smell saltwater in the air.

But she met the Goddess' gaze without flinching, "You are certain you're not simply allowing your personal feelings towards the Chief God color your opinion on this matter?"

The storm in Poseidon's eyes grew in strength, "If you had felt what I felt as my followers were slaughtered, you'd feel the same way I do."

"And if you were a mortal who saw your whole family taken by Mamono?" Selina shot back, her voice retaining its calm.

The Fallen God scoffed, "Can you two believe this woman, Ares? Eros? She's completely up her own...uh...girls?"

Hearing the concerned tone in the Fallen's voice, Poseidon turned away from the Huntress. The storm in her eyes abated as she beheld the Goddesses of War and Love deep in thought. Ares had a hand on her chin, leaning forward while humming to herself. Her eyes were closed and her brows were furrowed into deep lines on her forehead. Eros, meanwhile, was messing around with her hair. Her hands kept moving through her long, silver hair flowed through her fingers as she let it fall before gathering it up again. Her eyes were focused on the windows behind the Fallen and Poseidon's positions ahead of her. She kept biting her lip as thoughts warred in her head.

"Ares? Eros? Is something wrong?" Poseidon asked her fellow Goddesses.

Ares opened her eyes. She looked up at Poseidon and the Fallen God, "Hey, girls. A few years before Druella's attack, the caravans that usually brought supplies and food to Lescatie started getting attacked by roving bands of Monsters. Monsters tend to stay away from heavily guarded caravans, unless their either really strong or have been riled up by an outside force. Losing out on these supplies is a contributing factor to Lescatie falling to chaos. Did Druella have anything to do with that?"

The Fallen God and Poseidon looked shocked. The Fallen stared at Ares as if she had grown a second head, "Wha-why-how...why would you even ask that? Heck, how do you know it?"

"I'm the Goddess of War. That includes all parts of it. Even the logistical aspects. I may not like it very much, but even I recognize how important that is when it comes to battles...and how much of an advantage you'd have if you could deprive your enemy of his supplies," Ares crossed her arms, blazing red eyes glaring at the two Goddess across from her, "So? Did she?"

Poseidon and the Fallen God looked between each other. After they had their silent conversation, the Fallen God turned to Ares. She took a few moments to consider her word. Then she spoke, "Even if she did have something to do with that, the fact remains that she made Lescatie a better place. Gave people a home that they would love to live in."

"Yeah, by being one of the reasons it got so bad in the first place," Ares fired back. She pointed a finger at the Fallen God, "The leaders of that city may have been shit, but people were still able to feed themselves. By keeping supplies from the city the general food supply went down. Thus leading to the Nobles and their buddies hoarding it for themselves, while everybody else started to starve. If the supplies had been kept stable, then the Nobles wouldn't have panicked, and the people wouldn't have been starving."

"Well...yes, but that doesn't change that-"

"That the leaders were assholes? Right. But it does mean that Druella wasn't looking to liberate that city. She was trying to conquer it. And believe me, there's a BIG difference between liberation and conquest. I would know."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Flames licked from Ares' eyes as she finished her sentence. The Fallen God was taking time to prepare her next few words. But then, Eros spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper, "Have you two-"

All eyes turned to the Goddess of Love. Poseidon asked her, "What was that, Eros?"

Eros looked over at the two other Goddesses, "The two of you have direct lines to Lilith, right? Then...has she actually discussed any of the things that the Huntress mentioned with the two of you? Of what she plans to do about the human population? Or about if she plans to punish Druella for what she did?"

Eros' gaze moved between the Fallen God and Poseidon. The two Goddess met her gaze...before looking away.

"N-Not...Not exactly," The Fallen God said, her head hanging low.

"There...hasn't really been a time...and I haven't really thought about it," Poseidon said while drawing a circle on her thigh with a finger.

Eros gasped, hands going to her lips, "Then...then Lilith really...how can you two trust that?!"

"How can you trust her?!" the Fallen God pointed an accusatory finger at the Huntress, "Why the heck are you even considering what she said could be true?"

"Because neither of you have given us any good answers," Ares retorted, "Only half-assed ones."

"Ares. You can't...she killed one of your champions!"

"After I sent her at her specifically to kill her."

"She killed a Cupid!"

"Um...after I sent her to...shoot her with an arrow."

"You both can't-"

"Silence," the Huntress interrupted the brewing argument. Her voice barely got above an octave, yet all the Goddesses heard her words. She pointed a finger towards the ceiling, "I have other guests. They are sleeping. Be quieter. Please."

The Divinities shared a look.

Then they all started to quiet down while adjusting themselves.

Selina waited until the Goddesses had calmed down. Then she spoke up, "Let us put that discussion behind us, for now. You all said you came here to negotiate with me. Then, let us negotiate."

Ares held up a hand, "Hold on. There's something else before we start on that."

"Truly? Then that discussion took up much more time than I expected. What is it you wish to do?"

Ares waved a hand at the other Goddesses as she spoke, "Each of us has a question that we want to ask you in regards to your stay in this world. They don't have anything to do with the Demon Lord, Druella, or the war. They're just personally inquiries we all have on our minds."

Selina nodded, "I see. Then I hope you won't mind if I make my own inquiries when you are finished?"

"Not at all."

"I don't see why not."

"We have nothing to hide."

"Whatever."

The Huntress nodded at each Goddess in turn. She waved a hand at Ares, "You may go first, as you seem to be in charge of this little excursion."

"Alright then," Ares began, her blazing eyes locking onto the Huntress, "What is it you're after here?"

"Could you elaborate?"

Ares shifted a bit before continuing, "The first thing you did when you got here was kill an entire battalion of Mamono. Then you tracked down a Werewolf pack, took their Alpha, then killed the rest of them. Including the two children. But then you fought and captured a Dhampir...and then let her go. Then you chased after a Cupid and killed her. But when you fought the Kunoichi and Ochimusha, you let them both live only to drain one and turn her into a male monster."

Ares lifted her hand and started counting her fingers, "You went to Vinvers to speak with people apart of the Order. While there, you killed a Demon and her Husband. Then you went to a Camp filled with Orcs and Succubi, murdered who knows how many of their number, fought their leader, then blew the entire camp up. Then, when you met with the Order, you defied their orders and rescued a Mamono and her Husband after turning the Mamono back into a human. You then put one of the Order's leaders into a coma, accidentally killed a Hero, then killed both the Inquisitors that came after you."

Selina stayed silent until Ares let her hands fall. Then she spoke, "I have done all those things. But why do you mention them?"

"Because they don't add up. You kill Mamono, but you're not joining up with the Order. You fight the Order, but won't consider joining Lilith. You kill some, but not others. There's a battle coming to this town, and you're here doing nothing. What, exactly, is your goal? What do you want to do? What is it you're fighting for?!" Ares almost shouted as she ended her speech. Her eyes were blazing with a combination of confusion and frustration.

Selina matched it with a tired stare of her own. She placed her hands together as she answered, "Ares, you are the Goddess of all warriors are you not? You have likely observed the lives of those who's lives are constant battle. Tell me, of those you have observed, how many of them grow tired of battle? How many of them tire of the bloodshed? Of watching others die before them? Of wielding a blade to take the lives of others for reasons they don't believe in?"

"Too many to count," Ares' voice was somber as she spoke. Her gaze had softened and the fire in her eyes had calmed.

"And when they grow tired of battle, what is it they ultimate wish for?"

"Peace. Peace and companionship."

"Then if you know that, you know what my answer is."

Ares met Selina's gaze.

For a moment, the Goddess of War saw what was truly behind those sharp black eyes. What was truly behind the woman that had sent them into a tizzy.

Not a monster who wished for bloodshed. Nor a killer who enjoyed destroying the lives of others. Nor a wannabe Demon Lord planning to usurp Lilith and take her place.

But a warrior who had seen something horrid. And now wished to live in peace.

Ares sighed before nodding her head, "Alright then. That's all I needed to hear. Go ahead, Eros."

The Goddess of Love nodded to her friend. She locked an angry gaze on Selina, "First question: Why did you kill Jessica, my Cupid?"

Selina bit her lip. The gathered Goddess' all felt surprised. For the first time since this discussion started, the Huntress looked concerned about her answer. She squirmed in her seat, hands rubbing together as she tried to think of an answer. Eventually, she looked up to Eros and spoke, "I...I cannot say."

"Why not? You've been pretty forthcoming with us so far," the Fallen God questioned, enjoying the Huntress' squirming.

"For two reasons. The first is because the reason behind it...is a burden that only I should bear," Selina did her best to explain without revealing too much. She knew this wasn't helping her case. It was likely giving more ammunition to the Fallen God and Poseidon for their own arguments. But...she couldn't tell them. None should know about the secrets of Yharnam. Not even Divinities such as themselves.

No.

The secrets of that city will live and die with her.

Eros stared the Huntress down for a few moments. Then she spoke clearly, "You're not lying...because you truly believe that."

"Yes."

"And nothing we say will make you change your mind?"

"No."

"Then...the second reason?"

The Huntress bowed her head, "The second reason...is that I truly do not know what happened. I know I killed her. But...I do not remember precisely how. It is like that memory...has been removed. I am still attempting to discover the reasoning behind this. But doubt that is what you wished to hear. Thus, I apologize for what I have done. You have my condolences and my heartfelt sorrow."

Eros took in a deep breath. Then she let out a sigh filled with disappointment, "Fine. I don't like it...but I sent Jessica to shoot you with a Love Arrow. So, consider us even on that front."

"I understand," Selina directed a warm smile towards the Goddess of Love, "Thank you for that."

Eros shrugged. Then, within a moment, her entire demeanor changed. The serious tension in her body left her as she started smiling from ear to ear. A hand went to her cheek, eyes sparkling as she asked the Huntress, "Second question: Do you believe that True Love is a real thing that can be found by anyone?"

While perplexed at the sudden shift in topic, Selina answered without hesitation, "Of course. And those who find it are blessed to be able to experience such a wonderful feeling."

Eros seemed to brighten at the Huntress' words. She giggled then continued, "Alright, third question: Do you believe in Love At First Sight? Or that two people who don't know each other can be Star-Crossed Lovers?"

Feeling more confused, the Huntress furrowed her bow but answered all the same, "I...believe it is unlikely. But not impossible."

"Eros, what the he-"

"Shh, shh, Posi," Eros waved a hand at the Sea Goddess, "These are important questions. Anyway, last question: What would your ideal man be like?"

Selina gave Eros a flat stare, "I am not answering that question."

"Oh, come on!" Eros started to pout.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"But I really wanna know!"

"No."

"Drop it Eros, she's not budging," Ares shook her head at her fellow Goddess' antics, "Seriously, why would you even ask that?"

"Oh, hush Ares! Like you're not curious what kind of man the Enigmatic Warrior Woman would fall for," Eros waggled a finger in front of her fellow Divinity's face. Ares turned away, her cheeks blushing a little in embarrassment. Eros giggled before turning back to Selina, "Either way, nice job, Huntress. You managed to answer three out of my four questions correctly. Though, I really only needed to hear the first answer."

"Truly?" Selina was intrigued, "How so?"

"Anyone who believes in True Love can't be a bad person," Eros stated as if it was a fact of life.

"What makes you say that?"

"Because, True Love is one of the most Romantic and Idealistic things to believe in. And those are the kinds of people who I believe are truly good at heart," Eros placed a hand over her own heart for emphasis.

Selina smiled warmly at the Goddess. Then she turned towards the Fallen God and Poseidon, "So, which of you will go next?"

"Our questions are one and the same. Thus, the Fallen shall speak for the both of us," Poseidon said before waving for the Fallen God to begin.

The Goddess leaned forward as she stared the Huntress down. Her gaze never faltered as she asked, "If Koga were to fall in love with a Mamono, would you support him?"

"If it was of his own free will? Yes," Selina stated, matching the Goddess' gaze the entire time, "He is his own person and can make his own decisions. If he truly loves a Mamono and wishes to be with her, then I will not get in his way."

Poseidon raised an eyebrow, "And if it happened because a Mamono used her powers on him?"

"Then I will intervene. For that relationship is founded upon lies and mind control. Not actual affection."

Both the Fallen God and Poseidon shot daggers at the Huntress with their eyes. They both unwittingly let out a little bit of Divine Pressure. Just enough to be felt by Selina, but not enough to be noticed by Ares or Eros.

The Huntress didn't even flinch. She simply ran her gaze over the gathered Goddesses before speaking, "I believe it is my turn to ask questions. And I will be going in the opposite direction. Starting with you, Poseidon. You made mention of how your followers were slaughtered. From the sound of things, the culprit behind that event was the...Intern Chief God?"

The Huntress shook her head at saying those words. The idea that the head of the Pantheon of this world wasn't even the real head of the Pantheon was...strange to her. If she really was just a Goddess put into that position, then why? What about her made her the correct choice for this role? It couldn't have been her merits. Otherwise she doubted the world would be in the situation it is in now. And where did the Original Chief God go? He just...left? To where? And why?

Poseidon's words brought her from her musings, "You would be correct. The Chief God ordered me to start slaughtering humans and began to persecute my followers. If they tried to get close to humans, help them out, or otherwise, they'd be punished or killed."

"Do you know why that happened? Did she say anything to you about it? Or did you try to talk to her?"

"Of course I did!" Poseidon's eyes flashed with anger, "But that bitch of a Goddess refused to even talk to me! She just kept sending her Valkyries and Angels to tell me to not question her. I couldn't keep living like that. So, I defected."

Her eyes calmed as a smile came over her face, "Now she can't touch my followers. She's still injured, so she can't come after them herself. And if she sends any Valkyries or Angels, they'll get corrupted."

The Huntress pursed her lips but nodded in understanding. Then she raised a finger, "I understand your reasoning. However, could you not have gone independent?"

"You honestly think I could've made it on my own? I would've been attacked the moment I declared my intent."

"Yes, but are you not the Goddess of the Sea? Unless something is different from my own world, the planet is mostly made up of water. Who in their right minds, God or not, would kill the one who is responsible for controlling such a large percentage of the world?"

Poseidon made to reply, stopped, narrowed her eyes in thought at the question, then shook her head, "Never mind that. The point is, I'm with Lilith now. And it's much better."

"Hmm, I see," the Huntress hummed, then turned to the Fallen God.

The Goddess met her gaze with a shrug and a flap of her wings, "Go ahead. I've nothing to hide nor be ashamed of."

"I see. Then, could you tell me how, exactly, Mamono mind controlling people can be seen as a good thing?"

"Because people aren't honest with themselves," the Fallen God said with a confident smile, "Especially when it comes to their feelings for others. They'll bottle them up rather than just come and admit when they love someone. This leads to numerous tragedies and couples not getting together, because they can't admit their feelings for each other."

Selina nodded along with Fallen God, "Hmm. Hmm. Alright. Then can you explain to me this, why is it so focused on sex and mind control?"

"Because sex is the ultimate expression of love."

"Truly? Then tell me this: Are there brothels in this world?"

"Yes. Some cities have them."

"Then that means that there is a want to be able to share a bed with another without necessarily getting into a serious relationship?"

"I...I suppose," the Fallen God adjusted herself in her seat, her voice becoming ever more uncertain.

"Then, logic dictates, that sex is not considered the ultimate expression of love among humans. Yet, it is among Mamono. Which leads to the second part of my question that you did not answer: Why must Monsters corrupt and warp people's minds, bodies, and souls? If they simply wish to have a mate, why not go through the typical courting rituals? Why must they inherently be able to corrupt a man's mental faculties and make him wish to sleep with them?"

"Urgh, you're thinking too hard about all of this!" the Fallen God answered while glaring at the Huntress, "Why can't you just accept that there are Mamono, who want to have husbands, and will willingly join with a man no questions asked?"

"Because that entire premise is attached to the fact that them doing so is killing humanity, and will likely lead to its destruction. Something that all Mamono, the Demon Lord, and even the two of you, insist is not the case," Selina finished. The Fallen God didn't reply. She simply scoffed and mumbled something underneath her breath. Selina shook her head then turned to Eros, "Why did you send a Cupid to shoot me? If you're objective was assassination or corruption, then..."

Selina let the implication hang in the air. Eros jumped back, her hands up in a placating gesture, "I...didn't want Jessica to assassinate you! I just...I sent her to...to help you get a little love in your life."

Selina raised an eyebrow, "Elaborate."

"Well...all Cupids have two arrows. Golden Arrows Of Love and Black Arrows Of Lead. One draws up the feelings of love one keeps suppressed, while the other makes them dry up. The latter makes emotionally stunted or haughty people desire the love of another so strongly, that they immediately seek out someone who can love them. I had thought that you were one of those type of people. A Monster who's heart was closed off, and would become better if we helped you seek out someone to love."

Selina frowned, "And now?"

"I see that I was wrong. Again, I apologize," Eros started to press her index fingers together. Her expression darkened and her hair seemed to lose some of its volume. She turned away from the Huntress, "I'd understand it if you didn't forgive me."

"I do," Eros immediately turned back to the Huntress. Selina raised a finger, "However, this is the only second chance you're getting. If you attempt something like this again, you will never be allowed back here. Understood?"

Eros' hair regained its volume. It shook as she quickly nodded, "Yeah! Yeah! I swear on the heart beating in my chest!"

Selina gave the Goddess a warm smile. Then she turned to Ares.

The Goddess of War raised a hand, "I think I know what you're gonna ask. It's why I did the things I did. Stopping you in the forest, sending a Champion to try to kill you, and other stuff."

"That is correct," the Huntress agreed.

"Well, the first one is obvious. You were gonna kill two kids," Ares did not mince words, "Why would I sit back and let that happen?"

"I understand that. And I do not blame you for it."

"Then you regret what you did?"

"Yes and no."

"Huh?"

"I regret that I killed two children. That is something I will never forget nor forgive myself for. That I can assure you of."

"You say that, but you seem pretty well put together."

Selina let out a low, sad chuckle, "That's what you think? Ares, after what we just discussed, do honestly think a warrior such as I wouldn't be adept at hiding pain?"

Ares didn't answer. Instead she stared the Huntress down face glowering at the woman. Then she waved for the Huntress to continue.

Selina took a deep breathe in, before letting out a long suffering sigh, "As for what I don't regret...it's stopping something from spreading. Something that, should it ever be released into this world, would be a thousand times worse than the way things are now."

"And, let me guess, you're not gonna tell us what exactly that 'thing' is?"

Selina's silence spoke volumes. With a scoff, Ares continued her explanation, "As for sending the Avatar to kill you thing? It was because I...well...we figured you were going to drag us all back into the days of old."

"The days when humans and monsters killed each other?"

"Specifically to keep the human population 'in check'? Yeah. Or, at least, you'd start making all the wars I've done my best to keep bloodless a lot more bloody."

Selina narrowed her eyes at the Goddess of War, "That's something else, actually. Why would a Goddess Of War with for War to be without bloodshed? Wouldn't you be impartial and unbiased when it comes to such things?"

Ares' face fell. Disappointment filled her eyes as she turned her gaze towards the floor, "That's...um...OK. That's partially because of Hel. Hel wants to reinvent people's idea of death. Everyone always saw death as this cold, unfeeling, ending that you should be afraid of. That everyone should fear death. But she doesn't want to be that anymore. She wants death to be this warm, welcoming event that everyone looks forward to. She wants people to see death as just another phase of existence."

"Thus why she created the Undead. An interesting goal...but a rather short-sighted one," Selina admitted, "Death is something to be accepted. But part of being a person is coming to that conclusion yourself. If the personification of death were to go out of its way to make people accept it, then it would stop people from being able to reach that realization."

Ares raised an eyebrow, "That's a rather astute observation for someone who can come back from the dead."

"When one has died many times over, you begin to become more familiar with the concept of death."

"Wait, wait, wait a minute," the Fallen God interrupted, "Many times over? How...how many times have you died? An exact number please."

Selina shrugged, "I lost count after fifty."

All the Goddesses were speechless. They looked at the Huntress as if she had grown a second head. While the Huntress simply waited for Ares to continue.

The Goddess of War shook her head, "I'm starting to better understand why you act the way you do. But anyway, I wanted to follow her example. I...I don't like long, drawn out, bloody conflicts. Those...those just create tragedy and pain. I want battle and war to be more...romantic. Heroes fighting against the darkness to protect the world. People understanding each other through conflict and becoming friends or lovers rather than enemies. Champions driving people to become better than what they were before!"

Ares stood up and lifted a fist towards the sky. Her eyes were ablaze as she imagined the type of combat she spoke of. Then she looked around at the smiling faces of the other Goddesses. Blinking in embarrassment, she sat back down and cleared her throat, "Anyway, that's what I want. And I've worked hard to make things like that. Figured you would take it away from me."

"Query, you give blessings to those who you believe deserve them, right?" the Huntress asked, already mentally touching upon one major reason the humans were losing the war.

"Yep," Ares leaned back and put her hands behind her head, "If they're fighting for something I like, they get my blessing."

"And...do you give these blessings out evenly?"

"...Well...uh...not exactly."

"You prioritize the Mamono, don't you?"

"...Yes," Ares looked away from the Huntress in shame.

"Why?"

"I was trying to copy Hel, thought that the Mamono were disadvantaged, and like the Amazons and Lizard-women."

Selina took in a deep breath and let it out in a disappointed sigh. She shook her head at the Goddess, "You do realize that your actions have essentially brought humanity very close to destruction, correct?"

"Yes."

"You realize what you have to do, right?"

"Who are you, my mother?" Ares snapped.

"If I must be, then yes," Selina replied, not once raising her voice.

Ares and the rest of the Goddesses blinked. Eros coughed into her hand, "Well...uh...that's good to know. Right, girls?" She forced a laugh to try to get the others to agree.

They did not. The Fallen God placed a hand on her forehead and shook it. Poseidon huffed in admonishment at the Huntress' actions. Ares simply stared at the Huntress, shock plain on her face. Then the Goddess of War shook her head, "Whenever I think I get what your deal is, you say something crazy like that."

Selina didn't flinch at Ares' words. The Goddess eventually shook her head, "But, yeah. I get it. Stop giving out so many blessings to the Mamono. Let the humans have some too."

Selina nodded, a thankful smile on her face. She turned back to all four Goddess, "With all questions answered, shall we now move to the actual negotiations? Though, I believe I can already tell what the primary subject of our talk will be. Druella."

The name immediately made the air in the room get heavy. The Goddesses all looked at Selina with growing expectations. The Huntress took in a breath, then let it out as she revealed her hand, "I am planning to go to Lescatie. Once there, I will speak with Druella and attempt to get her to call off the assault."

All four Goddesses' eyes widened in shock.

"What?!" they all spoke in unison.

"I am well aware," Selina began, "that Druella's primary reason for attacking Pran...is me. Specifically, my existence. She has gained an interest in me. Likely one that has only grown after hearing of my involvement with Vinvers. Her attack on this town is completely on my shoulders."

Selina looked up at the ceiling, mind already imagining what she would say to Druella when she met her, "Thus, rather than sit here and allow Pran to be put in danger, I will go to her. And I will speak with her. And I will do what I can to persuade her to cancel her attack. For I can assure you, none wish to avoid mass bloodshed more than I."

The Goddesses were stunned. They remained silent for a few minutes, only sharing silent glances with each other. Then Ares started to laugh. A hand went to her head as she shook it, "Oh my...wow. That...that is exactly what we were gonna ask you to do!"

Now it was Selina's turn to be stunned, "It was?"

"We don't want Druella to attack Pran either. It doesn't have bad leaders like Lescatie did, and the people here don't want anything to do with the war. And we know that, if she were to attack, you'd fight against the Mamono. Which will just bring more death into this world. So, we were going to ask you to try to talk Druella out of it. We'd even offer to visit her first. Try to give you a helping hand," Eros explained with a warm smile of her own.

"Well. That is...a relief," Selina felt the air get lighter. She looked towards the Goddess of War, who was still laughing at the turn of events, "This was your idea, correct? According to the Fallen God, at least."

Ares took a moment to get her laughter under control. Only then did she answer between chuckles, "Ha, ha, yeah. Yeah. I know how it sounds, but yeah. The Goddess of War's idea was to convince two people not to fight. Can you imagine what other people would think?"

"Bacchus would get a kick out of it," Eros admitted.

"Bacchus?" the Huntress asked.

"Goddess of Wine and Drink. She's the Goddess of the Satryos. A group of Mamono who drink wine and party a lot," Ares explained, "If you ever run into them, try some of their stuff. My followers say it's amazing."

"I will have to pass. Alcohol isn't something I enjoy," Selina politely declined.

Ares shrugged, "Suit yourself. Hmm, you know, you're not as bad as I thought you were gonna be."

"Indeed," Eros agreed. She clapped her hands in happiness, "You've proven yourself to be far more than a simple ruffian."

"Well I am thankful for-"

Selina was interrupted by the sound of feet stomping the floor.

The three turned their attention to the source of the sound. It proved to be the Fallen God...who was staring at her fellow Goddesses with anger on her face.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" her black wings flared out as she made her frustrations known. Her voice was just barely below a shout as she continued, "Are the two of you really starting to get along with this...this...this crazy woman?!"

"What are you...have you not been paying attention?" Ares asked the Fallen, "She's agreed to our proposal. Negotiations have succeeded."

"Are you so sure?" Poseidon didn't shout, but the hard edge to her voice had the same effect as the Fallen God's. She stood up then turned to the Huntress, "Lets say you go speak to Druella, but she refuses to back down. Your attempt to persuade her fails and Pran is still in danger. What would you do then?"

Selina didn't hesitate in the face of the Sea Goddess' anger, "Then I would return to Pran and help them prepare for battle. When Druella arrives...I will show no mercy."

"See?!" the Fallen God pointed an accusing finger at the Huntress, "We haven't accomplished shit! She's still planning to fight Druella!"

"That...is not what she said at all," Eros pointed out, a confused look on her face, "She said she'd only fight if Druella rejects her peace offering. At that point, isn't Druella the one in the wrong there?"

"How could she be in the wrong? She'd be saying no to a crazy murderer, who she knows is dangerous, and then acting accordingly," Poseidon replied.

"By attacking a Neutral Frontier Town, forcefully transforming its residents, and causing who knows how many Mamono deaths...all to get at one person?" Ares' became increasingly incredulous as she spoke, "How does that make any sense?"

The Fallen God scoffed, "Ares, you should the answer to that. She'd be eliminating a great threat. To the world."

"But how am I a threat?" Selina asked, her own frustration and anger beginning to rise, "All I wish is to live in peace. To stay here. In this house. To raise my children. To be a normal person and help those who I can. What's so wrong about that?"

"Your very existence."

"The fact that you're not a Mamono."

Ares and Eros shot up from their seats.

If Poseidon or the Fallen God were normal mortals, than the glares Ares and Eros were giving them would've killed them.

"What the fuck?!" flames burst from Ares' mouth and eyes as she yelled at the two other Goddesses, "What is wrong with you two?! If she doesn't want to be turned into a Mamono, then she shouldn't be forced to!"

"If she truly wants to live in peace, then yes she should. Otherwise, she's a threat to both Lilith and this world's future. And that can't be allowed," the Fallen God retorted, inky blackness beginning to seep from wings. Her shadow started to elongate and threatened to snuff out the light of the moon.

Eros' eyes were blazing with a bright, golden glow. Yet her glare was one mixed with anger and shock, "How could you say that, Poseidon? After everything you've heard, everything she's said? How could you say she doesn't deserve to exist?"

"Because she doesn't! She destroys Mana when she touches anything. With that kind of power, she's never gonna be able to live a normal life. The only life for her, is locked up with the rest of the Abyssal Creatures. Where she can't hurt anyone, and can't get in Lilith's way," Poseidon spoke with the calmness of a coming storm. Lightning flew freely from her eyes while a sphere of water formed in her hand.

Ares and Eros looked shocked.

"You two...,"

"...are really fully gone aren't you?"

"We haven't gone anywhere. If anything, it's the two of you that are going somewhere. To the side of this Monster."

"Face it, Ares, Eros! The only way to help this world is to let Lilith win. And she won't be able to as long as this Huntress is still around! We need to-"

"Enough."

The Fallen God and Poseidon suddenly froze.

A shared shiver ran up their backs.

They both turned to look at the Huntress...and beheld the same eyes that Ares once saw.

The eyes of someone who didn't see them as Gods.

But as Prey.

And it was at that moment they realized, they were in the Predator's Den.

"Leave. And never come back. If you do: I. Will. Kill. You," Selina's word was final.

For the eternity between heartbeats, the Goddesses fought a Battle Of Wills with the Huntress. The eyes of the Divines, beings that stood above all mortals, matched with that of a single Hunter who had brought such beings low before.

And the Divines blinked first.

"Tch. Watch your back, Huntress. This isn't over," the Fallen God stated as her form sunk into the floor.

Poseidon turned to Eros and Ares. She smiled while the sphere she held began to cover her body, "Remember, girls. You're always welcome to join the winning side."

Then the two were gone.

Leaving nothing to indicate they were ever there.

Selina let out a frustrated sigh.

Ares sat back down. She placed a hand on her head, shaking it while cursing beneath her breath.

Eros fell to her knees. Tears began to fall down her cheeks as the gravity of the situation finally hit her.

None of them know how long they stayed silent for.

Then, Ares spoke, "It was going so well. How did this...how did it end up like this?"

Selina didn't have an answer for her. She turned to Ares, "That Fallen God...she seemed to be the primary supporter of the Demon Lord's actions. Is her situation similar to Poseidon?"

"Not even close," Ares shook her head, "She was a Goddess who got corrupted after getting attacked by Mamono. Since then, she seems to have become the Intern's direct opposite. She has a Divine Artifact that lets her intercept prayers meant for the Intern and answer them in her stead. She can directly speak to Valkyries and Angels to drive them to lust and corruption. She even has her own realm called Pandemonium. Heck, she even looks a bit like the Intern in all honesty."

"I just...I just...we were finally all together again," Eros sobbed while picking herself off the floor, "Why did it all go wrong? Why can't we just be friends again?"

Ares patted Eros on the back, "It's alright, Eros. Everything will be fine. Just...just keep your chin up. Alright?"

The Goddess of Love nodded, sniffling as she got to her feet. Ares followed after her before looking down at the Huntress. The Goddess of War smiled warmly, "Again, sorry for everything. We'll start working on turning things around, and will go meet with Druella to see if there's anything we can do to help you."

"Thank you for that," Selina stood up from her seat. She held her hand out for the Goddess to shake, "I wish you luck, Ares. Eros."

Ares grabbed the offered hand and shook heartily, "Same to you, Hunter."

Then both Goddesses' disappeared into flashes of red and gold light.

The Huntress sighed before heading towards the stairs. On the way she cracked her neck, grimacing as she heard the bone crack.

She'll be feeling that in the morning.